Young star on the mend

National junior race walking champion Pierre Vermaak is recovering in hospital after being struck by a taxi while out training in Johannesburg on Wednesday, writes Mark Etheridge.

The 13-year-old was out training with two friends when the taxi struck him in the suburb of Greymont.

He suffered various serious injuries, including a fractured pelvis as well as suspected liver damage. Vermaak is the son of well-known athletics commentator and track and field administrator Frik Vermaak.

Vermaak said his son had undergone an operation at the Milpark Hospital on Thursday morning and official indications were that the operation had been successful.

Pierre is a member of the University of Johannesburg junior club, and top fellow race walker Michelle Hopkins said he had been training for the national race-walking championships in October.

“He would have flown with me to SA’s in October. He is the current Under-13 race-walking champion and recordholder over 1500m and also walks 3000m, 5000m and 10km. I’ve been helping him a bit with training since the beginning of the year.”

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On behalf of the entire sportsmovement, we wish Pierre a speedy recovery. We know that with prayers and determination, you should be out there soon, doing what you love. From all of us at Sascoc, we can't wait to see you on the road again.